Robert Asprin - Dragons deal

"But all the opportunities might pass you by," Jerome said.

"Let them," Griffen said. "I need to learn who and what I am. I know that I am not really everybody's patsy. I just have to stop acting like it."

Fox Lisa patted his arm. "You've been true to yourself, in the pacts you have made, the promises you have kept."

"Yes, that is me. But what do I want to do, once I learn who I am?"

She smiled up at him. "It will be interesting to find out."

"Oh, you will, Mr. Griffen," Etienne said. "I seen dat, too."

"When?"

Etienne shook his head. "Ain't good for ya to know dat," he said. "I'll tell you one day if you gotta know somet'ing."

Mai smiled at them, but her thoughts were troubled. Griffen was learning to think for himself. She would have to throw him off-balance again, or she would never be able to put him under her control.

Harrison came into the room. He made his way toward them.

"Have a drink, Detective!" Cos bellowed, hoisting one of Fafnir's plastic cups. "The flagon with the dragon has the brew that is true."

"Maybe later, Cos," Harrison said. He turned to Griffen. "Thought you might like to know I just had an instructive talk with our friend. He tried to tell me I didn't know who I was up against. He didn't have a warrant or probable cause for confiscation, or anything he can take to a grand jury. But I do, having him and his minions jump on floats during a Mardi Gras parade. I think the country's just sore enough about the Patriot Act to love a story about Homeland Security sneaking in and usurping the authority of the legal police force of the sovereign city of New Orleans during a unique heritage festival like Mardi Gras. I told him to get out of my city and don't come back." Harrison gave him a mean smile. "He said he won't. Homeland Security won't bother to set foot in this city ever again."

"Good," Griffen said. "Good riddance." He toasted the police detective. "Come on back and have that drink when you're off duty."

"I will," Harrison said. He looked pleased to have solved his murder and tossed the intrusive agent out of town. "I earned it. That and many more."

The party went on for hours. Griffen danced with dozens of ladies. The event was catered by one of the best houses in the city. He stuffed himself on crawfish etoufee and bananas Foster, washed down by the best Irish whisky. One excellent band succeeded another. It was a great party, capping an incredibly eventful day.

"And it's not even Fat Tuesday yet," Fox Lisa said.

"As far as I'm concerned, I'm just an observer from now on," Griffen told her.

He felt a soft kiss on his cheek. He turned. Rose stood there beside him.

"Thank you," she said. "I know it was hard. You did well. The city is almost completely protected."

"Thanks," he said.

"I owe you a favor," she said. "Ask me if you need me." She smiled at Griffen and slipped away into the crowd.

"Was that who I think it was?" Fox Lisa asked, wide-eyed. Griffen nodded. "Wow. This might be the best day ever."

Griffen's cell phone rang. He almost didn't hear it over the rendition of Fats Domino's "Walking to New Orleans."

He reached for it. "Hello?"

"Griffen?"

He stiffened a little. A voice he had not exactly thought to hear for a while, or really wanted to.

"Hello, Uncle Malcolm," he said. "Happy Mardi Gras."

"Yes, thank you," his uncle said, dismissively. "Griffen, we really need to talk. Where is your sister?"

"She went shopping," Griffen said. "With Melinda."

As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he realized how it must sound to his uncle. But he had not been through the last three months in New Orleans. And it was after two in the morning. They should have been back already. In fact, they had left after nine. No baby-clothes stores were open that late, even during Mardi Gras. Uncle Malcolm's voice blared in his ear.

" Melinda? Are you out of your mind? Griffen, stay where you are. I am getting on the next plane down." The phone went dead.

Griffen stared at it, then he pushed the autodial for Val's cell phone. It rang four times, then a perky female voice with a drawl answered.

"I am sorry, but the subscriber you are calling has left the area. Please try again later. Six-three-two." He tried again and again and got the same recording.

Griffen felt the blood drain from his body. Mai had warned him not to trust Melinda, and he had. She had kept her word to him, as far as that word went. But she was the last person he knew Val had been with, and now he couldn't reach her.

Where were they?